The 5 Best Tummy Time Mats to Help Improve Your Baby's Motor Skills

There are so many benefits of tummy time for infants! It helps them strengthen their muscles and develop cognitive skills. However, I totally understand how anxiety-inducing it can be when you have a baby who becomes irritable every time you place them on their tummy. One thing I’ve learned is that an entertaining tummy time mat will do wonders in helping your baby learn to enjoy tummy time.

Tummy time mats are created with your baby’s attention span in mind. But how do you know which one to choose? Lucky for you, this is where we come in with our list of the 5 best tummy time mats!

5 Amazin Tummy Time Mat Options

You might be thinking, “Well, why can’t I just lay my baby down on a blanket?” The answer truthfully is that you CAN do this, but tummy time mats have accessories that catch your baby’s attention. This keeps them entertained which prevents them from getting fussy and you end up with longer, happier tummy time sessions.

Fisher-Price Rainforest Music & Lights Deluxe Gym

The Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym is a great option for parents looking for an interactive and engaging play space for their little ones. With its colorful rainforest-themed design and various toys, this gym is sure to keep babies entertained and stimulated for hours.

The gym features a soft and comfortable mat with a variety of different textures, as well as numerous detachable toys that can be repositioned to suit the baby’s needs. The toys include a cute monkey, a spinning ball, and a rattling toucan, all of which are designed to encourage hand-eye coordination and promote sensory development.

One of the standout features of this gym is its interactive musical elements. The gym plays up to 20 minutes of continuous music and nature sounds, which can be activated by the baby’s movements. This not only makes playtime more enjoyable for the baby but also helps to reinforce cause-and-effect relationships.

The gym is easy to set up and can be conveniently stored when not in use. The only downside is that some of the toys may be too close together for babies who are just starting to explore and move around. However, overall, the Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym is a fantastic investment for parents looking for a fun and engaging play space for their little ones.

Price $64

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Lovevery play mat

The Lovevery Play Mat is a beautifully designed play space that offers a range of interactive and developmentally appropriate activities for infants and toddlers.

Made from high-quality materials, the mat features a variety of detachable toys, mirrors, and other sensory elements that encourage exploration and curiosity. The mat is also reversible, with one side designed for infants and the other for toddlers. So you’ll get a whole year of use out of this mat!

Additionally, Lovevery provides a helpful guide for parents outlining how to use the mat to support their child’s development. While it is a bit pricier than some other options on the market, the Lovevery Play Mat is a worthwhile investment for parents looking for a well-designed and stimulating play space for their child.

Price $140

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Skip hop activity Farmstand Grow and Play Mat

How cute is this tummy time mat? This play mat is perfect for helping babies improve both their physical and cognitive skills since it has 17 different development activities.

The farm-themed design includes detachable toys such as a carrot teether, a plush tomato, and a musical sheep. It also includes an adjustable arch, which can be positioned to accommodate different stages of development.

The sides can even be folded up to create an enclosed playspace which is perfect for tummy time because it will give your baby something to look at in front of them.

Price $76

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Tiny Love Black & White Developmental Gymini Play Mat

This mat reminds me a lot of the Lovevery Play Mat, but it is half the price! It even comes with a development guide that helps you get the most out of the play mat, which is one of my favorite things Lovevery does.

The black and white color scheme is visually stimulating for babies, and the mat includes detachable toys such as a musical hedgehog, a peek-a-boo tree, and a crinkly fabric book. The mat also features various textures and a mirror to encourage exploration and self-awareness.

Another bonus; this play mat is ideal for bringing along on travels or when visiting family members because it folds entirely flat.

Price $51.99

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The Peanutshell Tummy Time Water Play Mat for Babies

This option stands apart from the others! The Peanutshell Tummy Time Water Play Mat is filled with water, which provides a tactile sensory experience for babies as they push and move the sea creatures around. It features colorful underwater graphics and six floating sea creatures that babies can move around with their hands or feet.

One of the standout features of this play mat is its ability to keep babies engaged and entertained during tummy time. The interactive water element and floating sea creatures provide a fun and stimulating distraction for babies, helping them to build strength and develop their motor skills.

It is easy to set up and can be inflated and deflated quickly for storage or travel. The mat is also easy to clean, making it a convenient option for parents.

However, it is worth noting that the mat should be used under close supervision, as with any water-based toy. Also, while the mat is durable, it may not withstand the rough play of older babies or toddlers.

Price: $22.49

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a mat for tummy time?

You could just use a blanket, but tummy time mats have accessories that catch your baby’s attention. This keeps them entertained which prevents them from getting fussy and you end up with longer, happier tummy time sessions.

When should you start tummy time?

You should start tummy time as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. Tummy time will become longer as your baby grows and develops.

What is the best tummy time water mat for babies?

The Peanutshell Tummy Time Water Play Mat is filled with water, which provides a tactile sensory experience for babies as they push and move the sea creatures around. It features colorful underwater graphics and six floating sea creatures that babies can move around with their hands or feet.